title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in Mumbai, and immunogenicity and safety of hepatitis A vaccine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since epidemiologic trends of hepatitis A are changing worldwide, we studied its seroprevalence in Mumbai, which is thought to be a high-endemicity area. The immunogenicity and safety of a hepatitis A vaccine were also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred and seventy subjects (456 men; age range 6 mo-60 y) answered a questionnaire on social and medical history. Qualitative analysis of total anti-HAV was performed in all subjects by ELISA. One hundred and seven of 147 anti-HAV negative subjects received hepatitis A vaccine at months 0, 1 and 6. Subjects were followed up (months 1, 2, 6, 7) to look for side-effects and seroconversion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seroprevalence of HAV was 523/670 (78%); 38% of children < 5 years were anti-HAV negative. Seroprevalence rates of 80% were reached by 15 years. Prevalence was lower in the higher socio-economic group (151/234; 64.5%) compared with the lower socio-economic group (372/436; 85%) (p < 0.001). One month after doses 1, 2 and 3 of the hepatitis A vaccine, seropositivity was 92%, 99% and 100%, respectively. Minor self-limited side-effects occurred in 19.5% of subjects; there were no major side-effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seroprevalence of anti-HAV is high in Mumbai. Seroprevalence is lower in the higher socio-economic groups. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and immunogenic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Alvares
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kher
authors.lastname: Shankaran
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kandoth
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Koppikar
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kalro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines